The Cleveland Clinic Center for Human Nutrition (CHN) developed Nutrition-Focused Physical Exam: An Illustrated Handbook to assist bedside clinicians in the nutrition assessment of their patients and to help discern the presence and degree of malnutrition. The Academy-ASPEN Consensus Statement and Characteristics for Identification of Malnutrition (2012) has been a catalyst to realizing the importance of incorporating a nutrition-focused physical exam (NFPE) as part of a comprehensive nutrition assessment. Most healthcare disciplines perform a physical exam of their patients, and a NFPE should be part of the nutrition clinician’s skill set. With the release of the Consensus Statement, the CHN embarked on a departmental goal to standardize our approach in assessing the nutritional status of our patients. A comprehensive training program was developed centered around online education modules and live patient simulations.

Nutrition-Focused Physical Exam: An Illustrated Handbook discusses the components of the NFPE and includes pictorial representations of various stages of muscle and fat depletion (normal–mild–moderate–severe), vitamin and mineral losses, and fluid balance. Techniques and tips that can be used in daily practice when examining patients, as well as charts and references, are provided. The Academy-ASPEN clinical characteristics are discussed, along with the influence of inflammation and functional status. This guide is intended to help the clinician develop their NFPE skills.

This soft-cover handbook is easily carried in a clinician’s laboratory coat pocket. The ring-bound cover allows the handbook to lay flat for easy referral. Assessment charts include side-by-side color illustrations.